Revelation Answers

In Revelation, the language of “war” is used metaphorically to portray the attacks of the “beast” against the saints .  Revelation  uses “ war ” and related terms to illustrate Satan’s attacks against the followers of the “ Lamb .” It shows no interest in conventional or nuclear warfare between nation-states. Instead, the “ Dragon ” strives mightily to annihilate the church before his allotted time expires, and, to do so, he employs deception, compromise, and persecution - [ Photo by Stephen Leonardi on Unsplash ].

The description of the little horn fits perfectly with the known history of the Seleucid king, Antiochus IV, Epiphanes .  The image of the “ little horn ” is a key component of Daniel’s visions. It represents a king from one of the four Hellenic kingdoms that evolved from Alexander the Great’s short-lived empire. The passages from Daniel concerning this figure also provide the outline for Paul’s “ man of lawlessness ” in 2 Thessalonians  - [ Temple of Apollo - Photo by Constantinos Kollias on Unsplash ].

Believers prepare for the “apostasy” and the coming “man of lawlessness” by “standing firm” in the apostolic tradition – 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 .  Having explained the coming “ apostasy ” and “ man of lawlessness ,” Paul now provides instructions on how believers can avoid the coming deception and find themselves standing “ blameless ” before Jesus when he “ arrives with all his holy ones .” And above all, they must “ stand fast ” and cleave to the teachings received from the apostles - [ Half Dome - Photo by  Jason Hogan  on Unsplash ].

Jesus will destroy the works of the “Lawless One” and “paralyze” him at his “arrival” in glory – 2 Thessalonians 2:8-12 .  Jesus will deal with the “ lawless one ” at his “ arrival .” In describing this, Paul employs language from Daniel’s vision of the “ little horn speaking great things ,” originally, an image representing the Seleucid ruler who attempted to destroy the Jewish faith through deceit and persecution - [ Photo by  Alice Donovan Rouse  on Unsplash ].

The final deceiver will use “lying signs and wonders” to deceive and cause many saints to depart from the faith – 2 Thessalonians 2:8-9 . The “ Day of the Lord ” will not begin until the “ lawless one ” has been “ revealed ” “ in the sanctuary of God .” His arrival will coincide with the “ apostasy ,” and he will be characterized by his ability to deceive, especially with “ lying signs and wonders .” Satan himself will equip this master deceiver to destroy as many saints as possible - [ Church Pews - Photo by  Stefan Kunze  on Unsplash ].